Ukhrul District Superintendent of Police Ningsem Vashum said the fatalities occurred following an exchange of fire between the two rival groups in the tribal-dominated Thowai village.
IMPHAL — In fresh violence after 13 days of calm in Manipur, three Village Defence Volunteers (VDF) were killed in Ukhrul district on Friday, police said.
While confirming the incident, Ukhrul District Superintendent of Police Ningsem Vashum said the fatalities occurred following an exchange of fire between the two rival groups in the tribal-dominated Thowai village.
Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village, which falls under Litan police station, early in the morning, Police said.
Locals recovered the three mutilated bodies after the gunfight.
The deceased were identified as Jamkhogin Haokip (26), Thangkhokai Haokip (35) and Hollenson Baite (24).
The District Superintendent of Police added that further details of the incident are awaited.
A huge contingent of the combined security forces have rushed to the area and launched a combing operation to nab the perpetrators.
In the last major incident on August 5, three people, including an elderly man and his son, were killed at Kwakta Lamkhai village in Bishnupur district.
The ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. — IANS (Inputs added)
